The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-19
The Salt Lake Lobby Reappears, and Is Fully
Prepared to Conduct an Aggressive Cam
paign in the Interest of POlygamy.
The Puerile Things Of Which Men of Big
Reputation Are Sometimes Guilty.
in the Interior Department-Rights of
Government Officers as Inye ntors.
UTAH TERRITORY.

Views of Mr.. Bynun ON the Question OF Its
Admission as State.
Special to the indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Doc I8.-Representative By
num- of Indiana, asked by the Journal cor
respondents this afternoon whether he believed
the House would pass bill admitting u tab to
the Union of States at this session. Mr.. Bynum
can give a very good reflex of the sentiment OF
the Democratic side of the House. as lie is one
of the most active in his party. He said:
'.No, do not think Utah will come into the
Union of States for probably a number of years,
and 1 will tell you why. The demand for ad-
mission to statehood is made by the Mormons.
and there is behind it a deep-laid Mormon trick.
I have no doubt the Mormons would very read
lily consent to have a provision in their Constitu-
ton declaring polygamy to be a crime. and pro-
hibiting 1t in the State; but they very well
know that such provision 10 the Constitution,
unless it is backed by moral sentiment aud
force. would be perfectly idle. and without ef-
feet A constitutional provision is not se!f-act-
ing or self-enforcing. A State Constitution can.
not fix penalty for a crime There must be
enactments by the State Legislature. and, Of
course, after Utah became State. although it
declared in its Constitution against polygamy,
the Legislature and affairs of the State Rener
ally would be in the hands OF Mormons and
polygamists and they would refuse to pass any
laws TO carry out the provision in their Consti-
tuition This would make all requirements and
provisions of Congress dead letter. Utah
must purge herself OF her sins before she can
hope to be State. She must show that she is
able to reform herself and means to be better
ias State than Territory before I would be
willing for her change of condition"
At this point in the conversation Mr. Breckin-
ridge, of Kentucky. who is one or the Oldest
and most Influential Democrats in the House,
was asked by Mr. Bynum If he did not take the
view of the situation. Mr.. Breckinridge
said:
''You are right in your diagnosis of the case.
There is just one way to overcome the objection,
and that is for Congress to adopt Randolph
fuckers proposed amendment to the Constitu-
tion of the Unitsd States. making polygamy .
federal government and courts jurisdiction
This will enable the government TO fix the
penalty and enforce the law"
To this Mr.. Bynum replied:
1.-The suggestion not only meets my approval.
but 1 have no doubt it would be Endorsed by
the majority of the House but / am afraid il
this provision is made Utah would not agree to
come into the Union of States"
The Mormon lobby has reappeared. The
Mormon Church is determine Ito make one more
desperate effort TO gain the fght here and thwars
the federal government In its determination to
dig up the roots of poygany. There is mora
clear money in the Mormon lobby than any other
that has visited Washingt for many years
The wants of the church have all been centered
n statehood for Utah. If the Territory of Utah
can be admitted to the Union State with
out provision in the constitution on which it is
admitted, prohibiting poiygamy the State will
then be able TO govern its own affairs, and in
making its laws permit much polygamy AZ
the majority of the inhabitants want The Nor
mon Church has absolute control of municipal
and county affairs IN the Territory. and it would
be enabled to elect the State officers and run
things with high hand.